
After news of a Walt Disney World closure on February 15, 2023, we, unfortunately, bring tidings of another establishment that had its last day today. Closures are a part of the Disney experience, as any Disney fan can attest to. While they are definitely unhappy and difficult when that location is a favorite spot to frequent, unfortunately, any Disney Fanatic is familiar with the feeling of needing to make peace with saying goodbye. And in that vein, French Market Restaurant just had its last day today to make way for Tiana’s Palace, which will be opening later this year.
Journalist and Disney Theme Park insider Scott Gustin took to Twitter to share the news. As Gustin shared, “French Market Restaurant will be closed starting tomorrow (Feb. 17) to make way for Tiana’s Palace opening later this year. Starting tomorrow, nearby Royal Street Veranda will sell Mickey beignets and Mint Julep.”
Check it out:
French Market Restaurant will be closed starting tomorrow (Feb. 17) to make way for Tiana's Palace opening later this year. Starting tomorrow, nearby Royal Street Veranda will sell Mickey beignets and Mint Julep. https://t.co/peNH6Sc2Dp
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 16, 2023
Related: OpEd: Disney World Could Have Its Own Version of Tiana’s Palace Restaurant
Of course, despite the French Market Restaurtant’s closing in preparation for Tiana’s Palace, the Mint Julep bar will continue to serve Disneyland Park Guests. And, as Gustin also points out in his tweet, Royal Street Veranda, an “Open-air Disneyland counter serve selling Cajun-style soups in bread bowls, plus beignets,” will update their offerings.
As many Disney Fanatics will know from our previous reporting, Tiana’s Palace Restaurant will be a quick-service restaurant and not a table-service character dining experience.
Related: A Haunted Mansion Restaurant? Magic Kingdom’s Next Best Option
The restaurant was first announced during D23 Expo last year and will be located in Disneyland Park’s New Orleans Square. Per Disney, it will have a lot of the same “pizzazz and flair” as the restaurant from the film Princess and the Frog.
Here’s some more on Tiana’s Palace from Disney Parks Blog.